Robinson officially calls it a playing career

July 31, 201210:04 AM PDT

VANCOUVER, BC — Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that assistant coach Carl Robinson has decided to officially retire as a player. A former English league and Major League Soccer midfielder, Robinson joined Whitecaps FC as an assistant coach in January 2012 after a distinguished playing career.

For over a decade, Robinson did what he said his father should have, play professional soccer.

“He turned it down and decided to go make a life with my mother, which I’m grateful for because I’m here and done more than I ever thought I would,” Robinson said. “But I’ve actually done what he should have done many years ago. Since I lost my father 18 months ago, my desire to play has sort of waned a little bit. I wanted a fresh start and I have really enjoyed the challenge and focus required to be a professional coach.”

The native of Llandrindod Wells, Wales, enjoyed playing stints at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Shrewsbury Town FC, Portsmouth FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC, Walsall FC, Rotherham United FC, Sheffield United FC, Sunderland AFC, and Norwich City FC, before making the move to MLS. He began his North American soccer career with Toronto FC in the club’s inaugural season and made a total of 74 appearances with the Canadian side — twice being named the club’s Most Valuable Player — before moving on to New York Red Bulls in 2010.

Robinson also made over 50 international appearances with Wales — something he said was an “absolute honour.”

“He’s got the respect of all the players because of the type of person he is and also because of the level that he played at,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “He’s an absolute gentleman and a great man to work with.”

Though his playing days are now behind him, Robinson said he’s “delighted” to be working with Rennie and everyone involved with Whitecaps FC

“The boys work their socks off every day of the week and at the moment we’re getting very good results,” Robinson said. “But we want to be part of something big here and I think we’re starting to do that.”

Robinson is currently working towards a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Coaching Licence.